Jacobo Sedelmayr letters and reports,
1744-1751

AZ 437

Letters and reports, from Sedelmayr to Christóbal de
Escobar y Llamas, Juan Antonio Balthassar, Philipp Segesser, and Andrés
Xavier García, relating to conditions in Pimeria Alta at the missions
and surrounding areas. Includes reports on explorations to the Gila and
Colorado Rivers which describe the terrain and customs of the people
encountered.

Biographical Note

Jacobo Sedelmayr was born in Freising, Bavaria, on January 12, 1703. A
Jesuit missionary, he was sent to New Spain in 1736 and was assigned to the
Pimeria Alta region, at the mission at Tubutama. This region, the northernmost
frontier of New Spain, now includes Arizona and the Mexican states of Sonora
and Sinaloa. It was the northernmost frontier of New Spain. Here he worked to
convert the native people to Christianity, to build churches, and to improve
living conditions. He also undertook several expeditions to investigate lands
and people to the north.

In 1751, eight missions were active in Pimeria Alta. Sedelmayr was
Visitador Provincial, located at Tubutama. Also that year, a revolt of the
Pimas created a major setback for the Jesuits. Sometime between 1754 and 1762,
Sedelmayr was transferred to the mission of Tecoripa, in the province of
Sonora. In 1764, he became professor at the College of Matape on the Yaqui
River. On June 25, 1767, the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico. Sedelmayr found
refuge in Spain and died at Aldea de Avila, Spain on February 12, 1779.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and reports, from Sedelmayr to various Jesuit leaders, describe
conditions in Pimeria Alta at the missions and surrounding areas, discuss
administrative concerns, and report on explorations along the Gila and Colorado
Rivers.

The documents provide a detailed account of the land and people he
encountered including Pima, Tohono O'odham, Apache, Yuman, and Seri. They also
contain information on the organization and operations of the Jesuit missions
in the Pimeria Alta. Correspondents are Christobal de Escobar y Llamas, Juan
Antonio Balthassar, Philipp Segesser, and Andres Xavier Garcia.

Three letters and one report are contemporary holograph documents.
Seven letters and two reports are photocopies of holograph documents. All are
in Spanish, with some lapses into German interspersed; and are accompanied by
typescript English translations or summaries.

Organization

Restrictions

None.

Copyright

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